Tool-spindle fixture



G. A. DE VLIEG TOOL SPINDLE FEXTURE Sept. 4, 1928*.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14, 1925 mmv G. A. DE VLIEG TOOL SPINDLE FIXTURE Sept. 4, 1928. 1,682,835

Filed oct. i4, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 jizz/slater.'w

Patented Sept. 4, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GERARD A.. DE VLIEG, F ROGKFDRD, LLINDIS.

TOOL-SPINDLE FIXTURE.

`Application filed ctober le, 1925 means for preventing objectionable end play of the spindle..`

Another object is to provide means of the above character which is self-actuating and sclf-alining, and which will compensate for ivear. y

l further object is to provide means of the above character which may be adapted to a large variety of machine tools, and which may be applied to existing machine` tools Without requiring extensive alterations. i

Another object is to provide means for eliminating end play in spindles which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and which is efficient and certain in operation.`

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spindle embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vieiv of the construction shoivn in Figure 1 but showing the parts on the spindle in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional vieW taken along line 3 3 of Figure 1. Y

Fig. 4l is a sectional view taken along line fl-fl of Figure 1. i v y Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 9 but taken at right angles thereto.

i/Vhile the invention is susceptible of vari `ous modilications and alternative construen tions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the `preferred ein* bodiinent thereof, but it is to be understood that l do not thereby intend to liinitthe invention to the specific form disclosed but aim in the apiiiended claims to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings,6 designates a fragment of a fra-ine casting of 'a machine tool, which is shown in the `present instance as a surface grinder adapted to grind reamers and other tools. rl`li`eoasting is formed with a laterally projecting sleeve 7 Which is split20 and adapted t0.

The primaryA object of my invention is to provide novel Serial Nm 62,339.

longitudinallyT at 8. A second sleeve 9 is positioned in the sleeve 7 and secured in place by means of a clampingscreiv lOextending through the split section of the last nientioned sleeve. A lrey 11 is secured to the sleeve 9 by a screw 12. andi engages a longi` tudinal lreyway 13 formedin the inner surface of the sleeve 7 to hold the sleeves against relative rotation. Fitting over the sleeve 7 1s a cylindrical. housing 111, one end of which fits closely to a shoulder 15 on the casting 6i, and the other end of Which is provided `With a radial flange 16 fitting over the end of the sleeve 7 and the reduced outer` end of the sleeve 9 against a peripheral shoulder 17 on the latter:` A suitable sealing band llL is pro-` vided in a groove in the inner surface of the housing 14- next to the shoulder 15. `The housing thus encloses or seals the split section of the sleeved', and thereby prevents elnerv and other foreign matter from entering the Working parts of the apparatus.

Mounted in oppositeendsofthe sleeve `9 are two anti-friction bearings 18 and 19 in .which the opposite ends of a shaft or spindle 20 are journall ed. shoulders 21 `and 22 against vvhich the bear ings 18 and 19 respectively, are positioned. The bearing 18 is held in position by a nut 23 threaded into the inner end of the spindle 2O and formed on itsperipheryivith threads 24;. These threadsare provided with a high lead and a direction opposite to that in which the spindle is rotated so that foreign` matter seeking to pass to the bearing l'is exhausted. A ring 25 is keyed to the front end ofthe spindle Q0, `and serves to hold ythe bearing 19 in position. The ring Q5 provid y ed with suitablethreads26, generally `simi` The spindle is formed `Witli lar to the threads 24, for excluding foreign alining flange 29 formed on the outer faceof` thering Q5. Oil `fronrthe lbearing drained through a passage 8O formed in the sleeve 9 and the housing lll.. The construe-` tion thus far described is old andivell known;

Means is provided to hold tljicspindle against objectionable end play. This` means comprises a peripheral flange 3l on the-spin# ico dle 20 between the bearings 18 and 19. The

flange 31 preferably is integral with the spin- 'die and is made to possess good Wearing qualities. Botatably mounted on the spindle frictionally` 1engage the ,of the sleeve. Set screws 39 `(Fig. 2) serve to hold the sleeve 37 in position in the sleeve 9. An annular nut 40 is threaded `into the front end of the sleeve 37, and carries a pin` 41 which'extends parallel to the spindle 20 and `into a hole 42 in the ring 33. The direction of the lead Vof the threads ofthe nut4() is such that if the nut is rotated With the spindle :it will move outwardly in the sleeve 37. AIn the present instance, the spindle 20 `is intended to rotate in a clockwise direction,

and the nut 40 is therefore provided with left hand threads. Loosely interposed between the ring 33 and the nut 40 are two alining rings 43 and 44 which fit loosely over the pin 41. The ring 44 is formed with diametrically opposed bosses 45 which engage the inner face ofthe nut 40 and are disposed in a horizontal plane. The ring 43 likewise is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed'bosses 46 which engage the inner face ofthe ring 44 and are vertically disposed. These bosses permit the rings 43 and 44 to rock about .mutually perpendicular axes, thereby. providing a universal alining action for properly seating thefriction ring 33 against the flange 31.

Mounted on the spindle 20 between the bearing 19 `and the nut 40 is an annular adjusting ring 47 which` preferably is formed on its periphery'with a plurality of serrations or notches 48. A set-screw 49 in the sleeve 9 selectively engages the notchesto hold the ring 47 indifferent adjusted positions. The ring 47 carries a pin 50 which extends laterally thereof and which is positioned substantially diametrically opposite to the pin 41. A spring 51 is fastenedat its ends to the free ends of the pins 41 and 50, and extends around the front side of the spindle 20 to oppose rotation of the nut 40 in a clockwise direction. To space the spring peripherally from the spindle so as to prevent wear, it is positioned in a housing interposed between the nut 40 and the ring 47 (see Fig. 3). The housing comprises two concentric spaced bands 52 and 53 defining an annular space -54 and connected at one side by a web 55.

By rotatably adjusting the ring 47 in the sleeve 9 the tension of the spring 51 can be adjusted. j

In assembling the spindle, the nut 40` is turned inwardly until the alining rings 43 and 44 press the friction ring 33 against the flange 31. Since the position of the friction ring 32 is fixed, the flange 3l is clamped between the two rings 32 and 33. The tension of the spring 51 is new adjusted by turning the adjusting ring 47 to maintain this condition. Preferably the spring tension is made slightly greater than that required to maintain this condition so that the nut 40 Will be forced inwardly to compensate for wear. In operation, the rear friction ring 32 limits the movement of the shaft or spindle 20 in that direction. Likewise the ring 33 limits the movement of the spindle 20 in a forward direction. If the ring 33 adheres to the flange 31 it will be carried around with the latter in a clockwise direction and will turn the nut 40 to move the latter outwardly,

thereby reducing the pressure applied through the alining rings 43 and 44. This movement of the nut 40 is opposed by the spring 51 and causesthe latter to be elongated, thereby increasing the spring tension. Should the bearing between the ring 33 and Vthe flange 31 become too loose, the spring 51 will turn the nut 40 to move the latter inwardly. Thus it will be evidentthat by properly adjusting the tension of the spring, the friction rings 32 and 33 will be clamped against the sides of the flange 31 with a substantially uniform pressure, and will prevent any material end lay or movement of the spindle. The alining rings 43 and 44 insure a uniform application of pressure from the nut 40 to the ring 33. The device is self-adjusting, and automatically compensates for wear.

I claim as my invention:

1. A spindle fixture having, in coinhination, a sleeve, bearings in opposite ends of said sleeve, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, and a unit mounted in said sleeve about said spindle and between said bearings, said unit bearing against said spindle to prevent endwise movement in both directions and being self-adjustable to compensate for variations from a predetermined pressure thereby against said spindle.

2. A spindle fixture having, in combination,la sleeve, bearings in o osite ends of said sleeve, 'a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearings, said spindle having a peripheral flange, a pair of bearing rings engaging opposite sides of said flange, and means for pressing said rings against said flange, said means being self-adjustable upon rotary movement of said rings with said flange to reduce said pressure or upon looseness between said flange and said rings te increase Lossless one oi" said members, andbeing adapted upon movement of' said last mentioned member 'with said llange to reduce the pressure, and spring` means resisting the movement ot' said means with said 'flange and tending to move said means in a direction to increase said pressure.

fl. it spindle fixture having, in combination, a sleeve, a housing in said sleeve open at oneend and having; a radial flange on its other end, a spindle journaled in said sleeve and eatendim;y through said housing, said spindle havingl a peripheral enlargement, a ring mounted on said spindle between said iiange and one side ol said enlargement, a ring engaging the other side ot said enlargement, a nut threaded into the open end ot said housing, means connecting'A said last mentioned means and said nut 'for lioint rotary movement, the direction ot lead ol the threads being such that upon rotation ot said nut with said spindle said nut will be moved outwardly, seit-aiming means disposed betiveen said last mentioned ring and said nut, and means tendingI to rotate said nut in a direction opposite to the direction o't rotaion oit said spindle.

5. A spindle fixture having, in. combination, a sleeve, a housing in said sleeve open at one end and l'iavinfij1 a radial flange on its other end, a spindle journaled in said sleeve and extending through said housing, said spindle having* a peripheral enlargement, a ring mounted on said spindle between said flange and one side ot said enlargement, a ring engagin the other side o't said enlargement, a clamping` nut threaded into the open end of said housing, and connected to said last mentioned ring tor rotary movement therewith, the direction oit lead of the threads being such that upon rotation ot said nut with said spindle said nut will be moved outwardly to release said last mentioned ring' 'trom said enlargement, springmeans tending,` to move said nut inwardly to clamp said last mentioned ring against said en largement, and means for adjusting the tension ot said spring;` means.

6. A spindle tixture having', in combination, a spindle, .tired means lin'iiting the movement oit said spindle cndivise in one direction, and adjustable means bearing against said spindle to limit its endivise movement in the other direction, said last mentioned means being' self adjustable through rictional engagement With said spindle to reduce excessive friction and being,`

seltadjustable to taire up looseness.

7. A spindle fixture having, in combination, al rotary spindle having` a peripheral enlargement, means fined against endvvise movement ltrietionally engagino,` one side et said enlargement, means rictionally en raging the other side ot said enlargement, adjustable means `tor pressing` said last mentioned means againstsaid enlargement, said adjustable meansbeing?,l movalglle by said last mentioned means .in a direction to decrease i the pressure betiveen said last mentionedf tion, a rotary spindle havingl a peripheral enlargement, means lined against endivise movement and hearing against one side oil said ei'rlargenient, means bearing` against the other sidejo't said enlargement, spring;` aetnated means 'tor pressing; said lastmentioned means against said enlargement, and a pairV l coacting` alining,` membersl interposed between said two last mentioned means and being,` capable ot' rocking about tivo mutually` perpendicular ares, said members serving;r to transmit the pressure uniformly.

9. A spindle fixture having, in combination, a rotary spindle, a friction member engaging said spindle and serving to prevent endvvise movement in one direction, a second friction member bearing against said spindie and serving' to prevent endWise movement in the other direction, and spring actuated means serving to press said members against said spindle, said means being' seit adjustable through friction `between said means and said spindle to reduce said friction when over a predetermined amount.

10. Means for limiting end play of airotary element comprising tivo abutments loetiveen Which said element is held against axial movement,`one ot said abutments being movable, and means governed by the degree of friction between said movable abutment andsaid rotary element for controlling the pressure ot said movable abutment against said element.

1l. Means for limiting end play of a rotary element comprising tivo abutments between which said element is held against axial movement, one of said abntments being movable, and self adjusting spring means governed by the degree of `friction between said movable abutment and said rotary element t'or controlling the pressure of said movable abutments against said element.

l2. it spindle fixture having, in combina i tion, a spindle, means limiting themovement ot said spindle in one direction, said spindle having an annular `radial shoulder opposed to said means, a bearing member engagging said shoulder to hold said spindle against the first mentioned means, a clamp ing' member adapted upon movement in one direction to press said bearing member against said shoulder, and `upon movement i inthe other direction to relieve the pressure ot said bearing member against said shoulder, means connecting said bearing member and said clamping member to transmit ro` tary movement of said bearing member with said shoulder to said clamping member in said last mentioned direction, and resilient means tending to move said clamping member in said first mentioned direction.

13. A spindle fixture having, in combination, a spindle having opposed annular radial shoulders, means fixed against movement longitudinally of said spindle and bearing against one of said shoulders, bearing means rotatable on said spindle and bearing aga-inst the other of said shoulders, a" clamp ing member adapted upon rotary movement in one direction to press said bearing means against its shoulder, and upon rota. movement in the other direction to relieve the pressure between said bearing means and 'its shoulder, spring means tending to rotate said clamping member in said first mentioned direction, and means connecting said bearing means and said clamping member for joint rotary movement, said bearin means upon rotary movement through friction with its shoulder serving to move said clamping member in said last mentioned direction.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

GERARD A. DE VLIEG. 

